Topic

Polyurethane

A family of polymers made by reacting polyols with isocyanates, used in mattress and insulation foam, coatings and adhesives, and long regarded as among the harder plastics to recycle.

Current clusters

science1 publisher

Engineered compost enzyme degrades 1.4% of a shoe sole in three days

Researchers in Denmark and Portugal engineered a bacterial enzyme that attacks commercial polyurethane foam with no pre-treatment and at mild temperature and pressure. The rate they measured sets the distance to a plant.

Publishers:phys.org

Reality

Evidence58
Adoption: Insufficient
Hype gap+30
Incentives50
Confidence52

science1 publisher

A four-environment bacterial screen turned up 12 enzymes that cut polyurethane and nylon

Aarhus University and the Danish Technological Institute baited millions of bacteria with fluorescent mimics of plastic bonds, and the strongest hit came from a compost heap about 10 km from the lab. The team is now trying to improve it.

Publishers:phys.org

Reality

Evidence42
Adoption10
Hype gap+18
Incentives70
Confidence40